- published: 12 Nov 2015
- views: 107999
Runrig are a Scottish Celtic rock group formed in Skye, in 1973 under the name 'The Run Rig Dance Band'. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included songwriters Rory Macdonald and Calum Macdonald. The current line-up also includes longtime members Malcolm Jones, Iain Bayne, and more recently, Bruce Guthro, and Brian Hurren. To date, the band has released thirteen studio albums, with a number of their songs sung in Scottish Gaelic.
Initially formed as a three-piece dance band, which played wedding receptions, the trio's first performance took place at Kelvin Hall, in Glasgow.
Runrig's music is often described as a blend of folk and rock music, with the band's lyrics often focusing upon locations, history, politics and people that are unique to Scotland. Songs also make references to agriculture and land conservation.
At present, Runrig's largest fan bases can be found in the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Germany. Since 1999, the band has gained attention in Canada, following Nova Scotian singer Bruce Guthro's entry to the band.
An teid thu leam a ribhinn og
Gu tir mo gràidh sitheil sona
'S chi thu saighdearan a' ruith
Am measg nan lusan bèagh 'sa mhonadh
Will you go with me, young lass
To the peaceful, happy land I love
And you'll see soldiers on manuvres
Running through the beautiful, wild moorland greenery
A' Coimhead a mach air maduinn chiuin
Air ball mor cruinn os cionn na beinne
'S bhon is ciuin na tonnan gorm
Tha ceol ru aig ceol na mara
'S an deid thu leam gu tir mo ghraidh
Seall na h-eoin Dhorchas Dhona
Treabhadh speuran as ar cionn
Deanamh air Steornabhagh le cabhaig
Nis leugh t-eachdraich, fosgail suil
Anns gach linn mu dhoigh an Airnm
Stampadh air na croitean seagail
'S beathannan og aig gillean Uibhist
Cha deid mise gu an righ
Cha deid mise an corr a shabaid
O lunnain mheallt, a Bhreatuinn fhoilleil
Cha seas mi ach 'son sith nan eilean
Ho ro horain O
Failte gu tir an airm
Ho ro horain O
--oOo--
Come along with me, my young girl
To the peaceful, happy land
And you will see soldiers running around
Amongst the beautiful wild machair flowers
Looking out on a peaceful morning
On the great round ball above the mountain
And though the waves are calm
There's a new music in the music of the sea
And will you go with me to the land I love
To see the dark evil birds
Ploughing the skies above us
Making for Stornoway at high speed
Now read your history, open your eyes
To every generation and to the ways of the military
Stamping on the rye in the crofts
And the young lives of the Uist boys
But I cannot go "for the King"
I cannot fight anymore
The deceit of London, the treachery of Britain
I'll only support peace in the islands
Ho ro horain O
Welcome to the Land of the Army